Week 7 battles to watch: Rams corners vs. Packers receivers should be good

October 19, 2012 10:16 AM ET

Packers WRs vs. Rams CBs: The Packers receivers are coming off their best game, against the Texans. They actually beat man coverage, which they had not been doing. But Cortland Finnegan and Janoris Jenkins are good man-cover players. They will not back down.

Cowboys OLB DeMarcus Ware vs. Panthers LT Jordan Gross: Ware is an elite pass rusher who can make things difficult for Cam Newton. Gross has to keep Ware off of his quarterback. The Panthers might help, but that would take somebody out of the passing game. Can Gross handle him man-up?

Texans WR Andre Johnson vs. Ravens CB Jimmy Smith: There are some scouts who think Johnson has slowed a tick. I just don't think the Texans are using him much. With Lardarius Webb out for the season, Smith steps in as the starter. He is a big corner who has tools, but Johnson is a tough matchup.

Bengals LT Andrew Whitworth vs. Steelers OLB James Harrison: Harrison is just now rounding into shape after injuries kept him out for the early part of the season. He is a top-level pass rusher when healthy. Whitworth is a good left tackle who won't back down from anyone. He has to keep Harrison off Andy Dalton.

Giants C David Baas vs. Redskins NT Barry Cofield: The Giants moved the ball on the 49ers last week because Baas was able to get push in the middle. Cofield, a former Giants player, is one of the underrated nose tackles in the league. Can the Giants move him?

Jets CB Antonio Cromartie vs. Patriots WR Wes Welker: In the past, it was always Darrelle Revis on Welker when these teams met. But with Revis out for the season, I would imagine Cromartie spends a lot of time on him. Welker is a crafty route runner, which could be trouble if Cromartie plays the gambling game. Welker was dinged some this week, so keep an eye on that.

Vikings DE Jared Allen vs. Cardinals LT D'Anthony Batiste: On paper, this looks like a huge mismatch. How can Batiste, who has struggled all season, handle Allen? Batiste will need to get help or Allen could spend the day in the Arizona backfield.

Colts WR Reggie Wayne vs. Browns CB Joe Haden: Wayne can still play at a high level, which he's displayed the first six weeks. But Haden, who returned from a four-game suspension last week, is a young, confident corner. Can the cagey vet beat the young corner? Or does Haden shut him down?

Jets C Nick Mangold vs. Patriots DT Vince Wilfork: Mangold struggled some early this season, but picked it up last week against the Colts. He'll need that same type of game to help the Jets run the ball. Wilfork is a load in the middle and he's good at holding the point. Winner here will decide if the Jets can run it.

Pete Prisco has covered the NFL for three decades, including working as a beat reporter in Jacksonville for the Jaguars. He hosted his own radio show for seven years, and is the self-anointed star of CBS Sports' show, Eye on Football. When he's not watching game tape, you can find Pete on Twitter or dreaming of an Arizona State national title in football.